Formed in March 2006, the Center for Energy Workforce Development (CEWD) is a non-profit consortium of electric natural gas and nuclear utilities and their associations — Edison Electric Institute, American Gas Association, American Public Power Association, Nuclear Energy Institute, National Rural Electric Cooperative Association, and Distribution Contractors Association. CEWD was formed to help utilities work together to develop solutions to the coming workforce shortage in the utility industry. It is the first partnership between utilities, their associations, contractors, and unions to focus on the need to build a skilled workforce pipeline that will meet future industry needs.

SkillsUSA is a national membership association serving high school, college and middle school students who are preparing for careers in trade, technical and skilled service occupations, including health occupations, and for further education. SkillsUSA is a partnership of students, teachers and industry working together to ensure America has a skilled workforce. SkillsUSA helps each student excel.

SkillsUSA is proud to offer multiple $1,000 scholarships for STEM students. Help us promote public awareness that career and technical education is an integral part of STEM. The deadline to apply is March 15.

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), under new Chairman Neil Chatterjee, wasted no time making clear that it would use the exemption authority given to it recently by a U.S. Court of Appeals in the District of Columbia in order to approve pipeline construction where states balk at issuing decisions on Clean Water Act permits. The Commission’s decision in September may have wider implications, given a number of other pipeline owners arguing that construction is being delayed by balking state agencies.

November/December 2017

In its second 2017 Washington Fly-in, an impressive number of DCA members took to Capitol Hill to educate on the need to reform and update the permitting process for natural gas pipelines. As reported previously, the House passed the Promoting Interagency Coordination for Review of Natural Gas Pipelines Act (HR 2910) in June. The bill would strengthen the role of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) as the lead agency to approve natural gas projects subject to the environmental law.

The use of drones in construction is on the rise. They can be used in many applications, from survey mapping to job monitoring. As construction companies decide to implement this technology, figuring out how to use a drone takes time. Learning how to use it comes first, along with safety precautions.

Your immediate help is needed to push Enbridge's Line 3 Replacement pipeline across the finish line. The project's permitting process in Minnesota is fast approaching a critical final milestone - approval by the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission of its required certificate of necessity and its route permit. We urge you to take the very quick and easy step (about one minute) of completing the short form at this link to send your supportive comments. This must be done before the comment deadline this Wednesday, November 22 at 3:00 PM Central Time.

Latest update from Lindsay: We were able to get the first shipment of cleaning supplies off to the coast in addition to more water. It was made possible by those who have contributed to the Harvey Heroes Fund: www.youcaring.com/harveyheroes and driving teams lead by Matt Davey and Chad Owens. Those donations are going to the Galveston Chamber and Gina Spagnola, the group coordinating the efforts there. In total, more than 185 pallets of supplies have now been delivered.

After Hurricane Harvey made landfall and dropped more than three feet of rain, thousands of people in Houston and along the Gulf Coast have been displaced. Texas Gov. Greg Abbott activated the entire Texas National Guard and FEMA Administrator Brock Long estimated that 30,000 people may need shelter, and some 450,000 may qualify for federal flood victim assistance. Our thoughts and prayers are with all those affected by Hurricane Harvey and we would like to express our concern and offer some ways to help.

Aug. 17 -- STAMFORD -- United Rentals announced late Wednesday it would acquire Miami -based rental firm Neff Corp. for approximately $1.3 billion ., the second major acquisition of the year for the equipment-leasing giant.

About Us

The Distribution Contractors Association, headquartered just outside of Dallas, is a member-centered association. Our members participate in a variety of committees and annual activities that ultimately benefit the entire industry. Our members look to the association as an advocate for safety, a venue for networking and a voice in labor relations.